Chair frame structure



April 1961 H. v. THADEN I 2,980,454

CHAIR FRAME STRUCTURE Filed Nov. 26, 1958 I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR BYWm JWHM ATTORNEYS April 18, 1961 H. v. THADEN 2,980,454

CHAIR FRAME STRUCTURE Filed NOV. 26, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR BY 9Jdw FM ATTORNEYS CHAIR FRAME STRUCTURE Filed Nov. 26, 1958 5Sheets-Sheet 3 9 K 7; 47 INVENTOR Mo! VJMM.

ATTORNEYS CHAIR STRUCTURE Herbert V. Thaden, High Point, N.C., assignor,by mesne assignments, to Samuel S. Dennis 3rd, Boston, Mass, trusteeFiled Nov. 26, 1953, Ser. No. 776,625

4 Claims. (Cl. 287-54) This invention relates generally to a novel metalchair frame structure and more particularly to a chair frame providedwith reinforcing rod and pipe joint coupling means. The invention alsorelates to novel clamping means for securing a plurality of adjacentchairs together in rows.

In so-called stack chairs having tubular metallic frames the problemarises of providing means for securing the transverse rods or tubularmembers to the tubular leg elements. It is customary in the art to weldthe transverse rods or tubular members tothe leg elements or to connectthe same by removable fastener means, such as metal screws, nuts andbolts and the like. The present invention was developed to provide novelreadily-assembled rod joint coupling means for connecting the elementstogether in a simple, rigid reinforcing manner without necessitating theuse of weld seams or other connections.

The primary object of my invention is to provide an extremely rigidchair frame structure having split sleeve coupling means for connectingthe transverse cylindrical members to the tubular chair leg elements.

Another object of my invention is to provide a chair row assemblyconsisting of a plurality of chairs each having U-shaped bent tubularmembers the extremities of which define chair legs, in combination withnovel clamping means for connecting the adjacent legs of adjacent chairstogether in a rigid manner.

A more specific object of my invention is toprovide a chairframe-structure having two bent U-shaped tubular elementsthe extremitiesof which define pairs ofhollow chair legs and also having split sleevemeans within said Fig. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a chairembodying my novel tube and rod joint coupling;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the rod joint coupling takenalong line 2-2 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the rod joint taken along line 33' ofFig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of a plurality of chairs gangedtogether by means of my novel connecting p;

Fig. 5 is a detailed sectional view of the connecting clamp taken alongline 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a detailed sectional view of another embodiment of myconnecting clamp; v

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of a plurality of chairs connected bythe clamp of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a sectional plan view of a joint similar to that of Fig. 2wherein both elements are tubular;

Figs. 9 and 10 are sectional plan and elevational view, respectively, ofa split sleeve joint embodiment for connecting two angularly-arrangedcylindrical members to a main tubular member;

7 frame 1 consists of a pair of bent U-shaped tubular ele- Figs. 11 and12 are perspective and detailed views of another embodiment of chairclamping means; and

Fig. 13 is a perspectivev view of still another chair clampingembodiment of my invention.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1-3, the chair ments 2, 3 theextremities of which define the four chair legs 4, 5, 6 and 7; 'As willbe explained below, the hollow tubular elements maybe made of light gagealuminum, lightweight steel or, other suitable structural material.

The tubular elements 2 and3are connected by means rigid transverse rods8, 9, 10 and 11. While for the purposeof the presentdescription thetransverse elements.

8-11 have been illustrated as being solid rods, it is apparent that thejoint described below may be made in the same manner if the elements8-11 are tubular. Rods 8 and 9 and rods 10 and 11 are connected at theircentral portions, respectively, bymeans of the Weld seams 12, by meansof sleeves, or by any other suitable connecting means. The rigid seatunit 13-having aback portion 14 is supportedby the transverse rods 8 and10 andis secured thereto by suitable securing means (not shown). Attheir lower extremities the legs are provided with relatively softprotective elements 15 which hollow legs for firmly connecting theendsof transverse cylindrical bracing members Within the legs.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a novel pipe jointcoupling consisting of a first cylindrical member inserted transverselythrough at least one peripheral opening in a hollow second-tubularmember,

. andua split sleeve member colinearly. arranged within said. hollowsecond member, one side of said split sleeve member cooperating withaperipheral notch in said first prevent scratching and marring of thefloor surface.

. It is to be noted that, legs 4 and 5 and legs 6 and 7, respectively,are angularly inclined at, acute angles with respect to each other.Stability. and rigidity is provided to the legs by the transversebracing bars,l6 and 17 cylindrical member to secure said first membertosaid second member.

A further object of my invention is to provide a.

clamp for connecting the adjacent inclined legs of two chairs together,said clamp having oppositely extending bentgprojections. at both endsthereof for engaging said legs. to prevent lateral movementofthechairs'relative to each other. v Another object of my invention is toprovide means for clamping together the leg bracing rods of two adjace'nt chairs' and thus prevent relative lateral movement of the chairs;

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become more apparent"from a study oflthe following specification when considered inconjunction with-the accompanying drawings in which:

having notches 13 therein for, receiving the rods 8 and 19 of the nextlower chair when a plurality of chairs are stacked upon each other in anested fashion.

-According to the present invention, novel rod joint means areprovided'for connectingthe ends of rods 8,

9, 10 and 11 to the tubular legs 4, 5, 6 and 7. Referring now to Figs. 2and 3 (which disclose the joint as applied to leg 5) the extremities ofrods"10" and 11 -extend through apertures 5a and-5b in the tubular legs5. The rods have vertical side notches 10a, 11a in those thereof whichextend within the tubular leg. The verticalnotches'are in the peripheralwalls of the rods .im-. mediatelyadjacent the inner periphery of thetubular leg. The extremities of the rods 10 and 11 arelsecured within"the tubular leg 5 by means of the longitudinally-l 7 'split sleevemember 19 which-is driven upwardlvwithin theho'llowleg 5 by suitablemandrel meansduring as:

sembly' of the chair frame. The vertical side portion 19a,

of the split flange 19 is inserted within the verticallyaligned-notches-llld, 11a -'of the rods"1U and" 11 to rigid=.. 1' 1ylock the rodendsgwithin .the:hollowv leg 5; and.

portions v,-z wherein the transverse cylindrical "member 40 155m preventlongitudinal movement of the rods. It should be mentioned that the outerdiameter of the sleeve 19 is substantially equal to the inner diameterof the hollow leg 5. Also, foratight :fit-of;the assembled elements: itis desirable;that,the gap: between the} side portions-19a and 19b of-thesplit sleeve be approximately' egual to the transverse thicknessfofithe rods at the notchedportions thereofl The-sleeve'1 9is preferablyformed from steel or other suitable metal possessingrelatively greatinherentstrengthg 3 Ina similar manner, split sleeves 20, 21 and 22(Fig; 1) serve to secure the ends of the rods within the hollow legs 4,.dz7 respectively. T. 7

T It is important to note that not only do, thesplit sleeves 1 9, 20,21; and- 2 2; serve to;1o clg the ends of the-rods A within the hollowlegs but, also thesleeves serve to rein forcethe hollow legs at thepoint of rod junctures.

Should the tubular elements 2and-3;be formed of, lightgage al uminum,-for.example, the length of :the split sleeves may be extended if,desiredso that the lower ends 'of the sleeves terminate adjacentthe'ends'of the hollow legs and thus serve to reinforce the legs overthe better portion of their length. a s

It will be readily apparent that many advantages are achieved fromtheruse; of a chair structure having the novel rod and pipejoint'structure according to the present invention. First, the 'chairtrame components may, 7 be shipped in aknoc'ked-down disassembled stateto re-- duce shippingspaceuand costs; theichair frame being 'readilyassembled by the retailer without the necessity of weld joints or thelike Also, by the use of the inexpensive steel splitlocking-andreinforcing sleeves, low

strength decorative tubing; (such as anodized aluminum} for example) mayreadily be used for the bent t l-shaped elements 2 and 3. I a Figs/44,clamping means are illus- 7 Referring :now to V tr ated forconnecting'as a rigid assemblage a plurality f thefstacl; chairs of Fig.larranged ina row. As shown in", Figs. 4mm the chairs are arrangedsideby'side and the adjacent legs of the chairs are joined by means of theclamps 30.; As shown in Fig.5 the clamp 30 consists era rigid upper rod31 having horizontal bent portions '31i1;' 31 b atach end thereof and arigidlower rod 32 having horizontal bent' portions"32a,' 32b at each endthereof, thegbent portions offered-32 extending outwardly mare opposite,di rection ben't portions of rod 31. gRods 30; and 31 vare connectedattheir: longitudinal peripheral slot 40' to retain the end of tubularmember within the bore of hollow member 41. e

As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, a plurality of angularlyarranged transverserods 44, may be secured to the main hollow member 46 by means of asleeve 47 having axial slots 48, 49, 50 in cooperative engagement withgrooves 45', 44', 44" to secure the rods to member 46. It will be notedthat rod 44 extends completely through oppositely aligned apertures inthe main hollow member.

46. Instead of providing the axial slots in sleeve 47, the sleeve may besubdivided into a plurality of sections if desired.

Figs. lland 12 disclose an alternative embodiment of clamping means forjoiningtogether the legs of two adjacent ohairs. The generally U-shapedclamp '60 is pivotally connected at its extremities to the transverserod 61 and has a laterally-bent central portion adapted to removablyengage theltransverse' bracing rod 62 to clamp the two chairs together.While theportion 60 hasbeen illustrated as extending upwardly in Fig. 12(the clamp 60 beingadapted. for counterclockwise pivotal movement tocause'jclamping engagement), it will be apparent that as an alternativethe bent portion 60" could extend downwardly so that clamping engagementwouldbeflachieved by clockwise pivotal movement of clamp60t r f I 'Fig.13 illustrates another-embodiment of a clamp similar to=that of Fig.f5wherein the-longitudinal member consists 'oftwo pivotally connectedsections 70, 71 each havingglat'eral projections 72 with downwardly-bentextrernities' 73. I In'order to clamp together ap'air of the chairsillustrated in Fig. 1,"the 'clamp isjack-knifed about its 5 centralpivot 74" and is inser'ted between'the adjacent cntraljportionsfby meansof a weld seam o'r'other suit- I ablelcpnn'eetionr't In ordertoiclampftheflegs of adjacent chairs'togetherrthe clamp '30 is insertedintermediate the upper bent';portions ofithe' u shaped elementzof onechairfand the'u shaped element 3 oi'the adjacent chair a and istmovedfdownwardlyv until bent portions 311 and 31b of rod .31 engage'theangularly inclined legs 5 and 4,

V respectively, 3 1d bent portions 32d and 32b engage anguinlarly-inclined legs -7' andfi, respectively. The-clanipiallf thus ismaintained inpositionjbetween the chairsand firmly" prevents.relativegmovement 'ofitthe chairs in any ,horizohta'l-direction] ,liiAceoi-din'gtot the clamp embodiment of Figs, 6 and 7, thems sm pav m nfidr t o' s 33a, a 'a "d 34b ai'e slidably connected {by meansofcollarsi w ehieneir clelthetstraight, central portions" of the clamp.

Br mean g t th s lar nemb im n e h irs 9i ie I '7; may beemov d. forwadly o r a rd yJ-wi h 162 toieaeh'otherato'agcertain extent to, achievejastagg'ered "s a fisfa fie e s de n ia us ip t afi n aThezelampjwillprevent.lateral displacemeriflof' he ch'a rs ""rel tive-toeach'othe 1 V well as. the lmainshollow member), splitgsleeve aportionutzfrwhich extends;finto lthe transverse .those ski 35 chairlegs; The sectidns' 70, 71 m then pivoted to a hor-' izontalposition'sothat the projections "72, '73 will conneetfthebracingfrod 16 ofone"chair with the bracing rod 17 pf "tl 1e adjacent chair 'and thusconnect the chairs together to' prevent, relative 'later'almotionthe'rebetween.

While-in accordance 'with' the patent statutes I have illustrated anddescribed the best forms and embodiments ofmy'inventio'n now known tome,it will be apparent to led in the art that other changes andmodificationsfmay be made in the apparatus described without deviatingfrom the scope ofthe invention as setforth in the following claims; v

. e .1 'd ipgjjdi nt eonpljng comprising a hollow firsttubul-ar'memberhaving an opening in thetperiphery *thereof, a s'ec'ond cylindrical'memberyarrange'd at an angle-with respect to said, first tubularmember, one end of said second memberlextending throughthe apertures ofsaidwfirst member and, terminating within said first member, "theportion of said second member extending within s'aidiihollow firstmember having a peripheral groove therein; 7 and a split cylindricalsleeve, 'coaxially arrangedf within said hollow first member, aportionof said sleeve'extending within'the peripheral groove of saidsecondzmember tocphnect seeond memlber to said I 3; A rodandtpipejoint'couphng'com'prising a'h'ollow first' tubularmembenhavingia pair ofoppositely-aligned openings in the periphery thereof a *s'e'con'dcylindrical member arranged atfianganglelavithrespectgto said first 7tubular member andextending through'said openings, the portion .of 'saidsecond member: within-saidchollow first I mem e havi a a pa z bf Per p rl g s v h rein and a. y in i ;als eevee axiallyta rang d w hiu said l dwfirst member, said fsl eeve havingifa plurality f;iaxially -1 extending.slots at one e nd thereof; walls tof said slots riphe'ral groov s ofsaid second Secon memBerItoI'said first;

4. A rod and pipe joint coupling comprising a tubular first member, atleast two second cylindrical members angularly-arranged with respect toeach other, one end of each of said second cylindrical members extendingthrough peripheral openings in said first member, the portions of eachof said second members within said first member having at least oneperipheral groove therein, and a cylindrical sleeve coaxially arrangedwithin said hollow first member, said sleeve having a plurality ofaxially-extending slots at one end thereof, the walls of said slotsextending within the peripheral grooves of said second members toconnect said second members to said first member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSMcDonald Aug. 14, 1928 Bales Nov. 7, 1933 Ewing Mar. 14, 1939 GoodyearApr. 15, 1941 Hastings Dec. 14, 1948 Towne Sept. 7, 1954 Gleitman Jan.20, 1959

